"SCW uniform painting" Topic

Can anyone tell me what these large chest-wrap/sash looking things such as the 2 soldiers on the far left are wearing?

goo.gl/images/XCWWHX

I have seen these before but never found a description of what they are/what they carry, nor which forces in particular wear them. I haven't seen any on anarchist militia, which is my area of interest for this project.

This is relevant to painting (I swear!) as I'm trying to figure out what color to paint some militiamen from minairons who have these wraps. I've seen them on carlists, I think I've seen them on republicans but I'm not sure which units wore them. Any insight would be appreciated.

Those are either coats or (most likely) blankets used for bedding and sometimes to carry items when a backpack is not available. They seem common in photographs of the SCW, but in black & white images. Use Google to search for images of the SCW.

Believe they are great coats. Same thing you see in Napoleonic Wars later Prussians

I've always assumed they were coats or blankets.

Thanks guys! That was what I was thinking but what do I know.

I have watched a number of the videos published on Youtube by British Pathé and it looks to me like they are mostly blankets -- some have patterns (stripes mostly) and you will sometimes see them just draped over the shoulder. There are some very interesting videos that are worth watching in the series just to get a feel for various aspects of the conflict including uniforms.

As others have already said, a common piece of equipment in different times and places. Sometimes a rolled greatcoat (eg Russian Army in WW1 and WW2) and sometimes a rolled blanket as most common in the Spanish Civil War.

Lots of photos and film would be taken in camp or behind the lines where such a bulky thing would be removed so it is something found on the march or sometimes in combat where it might be considered extra protection (in the Napoleonic Wars at least it has been suggested).

With that in mind, here is some film of the anarchist Durruti Column on the march with lots of blanket rolls in evidence:

YouTube link

Here is George Orwell with POUM comrades before leaving for the front:

Those are some young poumistas with Orwell. Thanks guys, my three figures with blanket rolls will join my tiny Durruti column. Speaking of Durruti, thanks for the post Mike! I'm brand new here but I've enjoyed reading your past insights, and would love to see pics of any anarchist forces you've built, or hear your thoughts on the thread (about anarchist forces in various risings) I started in figure finders, if your so inclined. Thanks again to all commenters.